Oppressor vs Oppressed

So far I have heard about atleast 3 stories of racism in our country since the beginning of 2016. With each story I learn something new about the state of our country’s people.  Sometimes sadness, hurt and sometimes just frustration.  First of all the racism doesn’t move me much.  I completed high school at a former Afrikaans school.  Our class was the 2^nd English class in that school. When I arrived there, I was the first ‘black’ child in the boarding hostel, the school song was Afrikaans, assembly songs were Afrikaans...I mean they had the old blue, white and orange flag in the school hall.  This was in 1999. 

Isn’t it just sad that 4 years after democracy I experienced apartheid. The most interesting part was the fact that I didn’t know I was ‘black’ until I went to a multiracial school. I also didn’t know that there was something ‘not right’ about being ‘black’ until I made it to this high school.  My childhood was spent amongst people that looked like me, spoke like me, ate what I ate, and did the things I did.  We were just people.  ‘White’ people were on TV, and that was ok.

Today it is 22 years after democracy.  Yet there is no rainbow anywhere.  Apartheid now lives in peoples mind and hearts.  I believe in both ‘black’ and ‘white’ people. What is democracy? What was this dream that we were sold in 1994? What were the conditions of that contract? Because I do believe the contract is beginning to unravel at the corners.  Apartheid to me is a mental attack.  This is the main reason it still exists.  And it will not die until a mental shift takes place.  A mental shift for those who were oppressed by it and those who conducted it; and those who were told about it.  I am not able to even imagine which generation is free form apartheid.  My children (who aren’t even born yet) will hear about it.  This is mainly because I will have to explain Soweto to them one day.  Why does it exist and how was it formed?  The reasons link back to that time.  

I have also come to realize that there are a lot of people in South Africa who are not aware of what apartheid did and is still doing.  I think we call them previously privileged.  These people love to just move with ease, take what they want and walk past the person without a job begging for a job at the robot.  They are indifferent.  They will tell you oh we weren’t involved in apartheid, we didn’t experience it much.  How are you South African and was not involved in apartheid? You not knowing and then ignoring it after learning of it is also being involved. So many people’s speech is utterly shocking.  The level of arrogance is just amazing.  I didn’t struggle that much in my life, atleast I don’t think I did. But I am aware that my friend’s father worked in the mine far from home and made peanuts his entire life; so much so that my friend struggled financially. I am aware. I am involved.

The scariest thing for any ‘black’ person today is to be in a lift with a ‘white’ person. I mean after you hear a woman screaming ‘ I will get a gun and shoot them all’ you start wondering.  This fear that is being spread has always been there.  This is what apartheid was built from.  No one will devise such a good plan for a group of people that didn’t seem like a threat.  Apartheid was just a forward avoidance plan.  To ensure that a certain group of people never ever realize their full potential.  You demoralize the head of a family; you have killed all generations to follow.  Why was it important to kill future generations?

There is a revolution in motion though J we may not see it or feel it or understand it. But there is a revolution in motion.  For the first time in a long time a large amount of people are talking.  The oppressed has finally come into the room to support Steve Biko.  It is evident in Africa and across the ocean to America.  People are unapologetic about their opinions and getting all the closer to implementing that which they dream of.  I think it’s about time.  This is the reason why all the racist rants don’t move me.  For I can see change.  I think it is highly best for all the racists to be active in public. Better an enemy you know than one you don’t even suspect.  The entire country has freedom of speech, therefore we shall hear you.  Let’s talk. Let’s dissect.  Because we all have a lot to learn and deal with.  The oppressor has a lot to realize about their actions, and the oppressed has a lot to get off their chests.